Electric heating

rhagfo wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:

mtofell1 wrote:
All electric heaters are the same amount of heat for the same money. It just depends how you want the heat "delivered". I'm a big fan of oil-filled radiant since they are silent and generally the safest portable electric. But, they do take a long time to warm up (and cool off) so I keep a radiant electric on hand for quicker usage.

This is a popular misconception. Heat pumps deliver more BTU's of heat than ANY type of electrical resistance heating. If one of the interior portable heat pump units is used inside the RV, you also do not have to worry about the outside temperature being too low, as you would with your exterior roof-top heat pump.

It seems that there units are not cheap!

Depending on the brand, they can cost from $200 up to $600. If you are full timing and stay in one location for months and have to pay for your electric usage, they could pay for themselves with your savings in electricity and propane.
They might not make sense for everyone but for those that travel in very warm areas where their roof-top units might struggle to keep the coach cool, they are a great addition. During the Winter, they produce efficient heat and, in my opinion, are safer than some resistance heaters for humans and for pets.

rgatijnet1 wrote:

mtofell1 wrote:
All electric heaters are the same amount of heat for the same money. It just depends how you want the heat "delivered". I'm a big fan of oil-filled radiant since they are silent and generally the safest portable electric. But, they do take a long time to warm up (and cool off) so I keep a radiant electric on hand for quicker usage.

This is a popular misconception. Heat pumps deliver more BTU's of heat than ANY type of electrical resistance heating. If one of the interior portable heat pump units is used inside the RV, you also do not have to worry about the outside temperature being too low, as you would with your exterior roof-top heat pump.

It seems that there units are not cheap!

mtofell1 wrote:
All electric heaters are the same amount of heat for the same money. It just depends how you want the heat "delivered". I'm a big fan of oil-filled radiant since they are silent and generally the safest portable electric. But, they do take a long time to warm up (and cool off) so I keep a radiant electric on hand for quicker usage.

This is a popular misconception. Heat pumps deliver more BTU's of heat than ANY type of electrical resistance heating. If one of the interior portable heat pump units is used inside the RV, you also do not have to worry about the outside temperature being too low, as you would with your exterior roof-top heat pump.

Dallas may be south but it still gets cold.

I will caution that the electrical boxes in most RVs are a tad anemic when it comes to 1500 watt heaters.. I have smelled hot wire a few times and seen evidence when I broke down the quick box outlet and replaced it.

I also added some quality 15/20 amp outlets with 12 ga wire wrapped around a screw and tightened down tight.. No problems with those. I used a different color to set them off so they are easy to spot.

Now what type... All electric heaters. be they radiant, hot wire, ceramic oil filled or ____ are 100% efficient. Does not matter.. So I go small (Ceramic) for the most part.

2oldman wrote:
Dallas? That IS south! Why not just use the furnace?

Remembering back to Sheppard AFB in 77 outside of Dallas that's about the most miserable, windy, treeless, and coldest place I may have ever had the pleasure. Nice area, great fishing, I thought it was more like being above the Artic circle come winter.

Don is 'King' of heating an RV via electric, more experience and innovation than the rest of us

I use electric heated carpets, oil filled heaters, and fan based heaters.

kerrlakeRoo wrote:
Personally I like oil filled portables. They are silent, and dont get so hot ...

Most resistance heaters have an annoying loud fan. Oil filled do not.

Most RV parks in "D area have propane trucks come around and fill for you. When we were at one in Arlington they did last year. You can get a small Ceramic heater and it will put out enough for most days in that area as average temps til past Christmas 70 degrees. You can expect some cold in Jan-Feb and then wind in March.

I use small Patton space heaters that can be purchased at Walmart. They have a thermostat and a tip over cutoff. They sell for around $15. These are powerful little heaters and you should only need one of them. I use one of them in my travel trailer. I live in a rural area south of Dallas and my house uses propane for heat. This can get very expensive. Three years ago, I thought I would try using these space heaters in my house. I only need two of these to heat my whole house. I have not turned on my central heat now for the last three years. At night, I turn the one in the living room off and only use one in the bedroom. In the morning, I turn on the one in the living room and within 10 minutes it is very warm. My house is open concept where the living room,dining room and kitchen are all one open space. Try one of these Patton heaters. They are really fantastic and last for years.